Part I: Ribs (just kidding)
But, in a surprise, unwelcome twist, sugar is not always vegan.
What makes refined, granulated sugar not vegan? What animal products does sugar contain? Refined, granulated sugar gets its pure white color and fine granulation by being filtered through bone char (otherwise known as “animal carbon”), the powdered bones of cows. As cow bones are integral to the sugar refining process, this sugar is not considered vegan. Non-vegan sugars also include brown sugar (which is white, refined sugar + molasses) and powdered sugar (which is often refined white sugar + cornstarch).
Sugars that are NOT vegan: refined, granulated sugars that do not mention any of the labels below (e.g. organic, raw, unrefined)
Sugars that ARE vegan: organic, raw, cane (when labeled organic, unrefined, or raw), unrefined, coconut, and beet sugars
Here’s a full list of tasty, vegan sweeteners:
- Organic sugar
- Raw sugar
- Cane sugar (when labeled organic, unrefined, or raw)
- Coconut sugar
- Beet sugar
- Maple syrup
- Agave nectar
- Date syrup
- Molasses
- Brown rice syrup
- Stevia
Are you surprised to learn that refined sugar is filtered through ground-up cow bones? Comment your thoughts and reactions below!